The downfall of an empire begins with internal strife. Dr. Lucio Tan’s empire is no different from the dynasties of Imperial China. Trusted advisers are axed by the emperor as advised by his greed mongering administrators. Lucio is no different from these Emperors. He who foments distrust will fall heavily under those who are after his wealth. Dr. Tan’s feud with brother Mariano Tanenglian has earned him the ire of most of the Filipino-Chinese community. Will he choose the path of righteousness?

Wednesday

A gentleman's delights ... Afternoon Delights

A gentleman's delights ... Afternoon Delights

Lucio lives by the saying of Chinese philosopher Mencius: "A gentleman delights in three things, and to rule the world is not one of these three things. For one's parents to be both alive, and for one's brothers to have no misfortune, that is the first delight. To look up and see Heaven without shame, that is the second delight. To obtain the world's talented people and educate them, that is the third delight."

Who is Lucio Tan? He was born on July 17, 1934 in Amoy, Fujian Province in what is now the People's Republic of China. Dr. Lu Kun Chen, two years older than he, remembers him from the boat ride that brought the two of them to the Philippines as children. Three high school friends - Tina Enriquez, Larry Uy and Robin Sy - contributed to the book.